Lincoln Chafee's historic victory in yesterday's primary bodes extremely well for the general election. His honest, independent leadership and integrity brought voters to the polls in record numbers, and it is evident that enthusiasm for Senator Chafee and his record will carry through to November. Chafee's support across Rhode Island -- from both Republicans and independents -- will make it very difficult for Sheldon Whitehouse to gain traction in his bid to unseat Senator Chafee. Look for him in Chafee's rear view mirror...

A few weeks ago I took my pickup around Eastern Montana to talk with Montana families and businesses about my ‘Real Energy, Real Change’ plan.  At a time when energy prices are through the roof and folks have to dig deeper in their pockets to fill their tanks, heat their homes, run their farms and keep their businesses afloat, we need vision and a plan for energy independence in our country.  By taking concrete steps to invest in bio-diesel, ethanol and wind power, along with developing our state’s abundant natural resources cleanly and efficiently, Montana has the potential to play a key role in leading our country to energy security.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently reported that the U.S. Senate’s Interior Spending Bill is only a fraction of the funding needed to implement renewable-fuels standards.  My opponent, Sen. Burns, crafted that bill and calls it a success.  I call that lack of vision and poor leadership, and it’s this kind of poor leadership in Washington that has allowed our country to become more dependent on foreign oil than we were in the 1970s. It’s that lack of leadership that is allowing multinational oil and gas companies to write our energy policy.

We can achieve energy independence, with government that will facilitate and encourage development of alternative and renewable energy.

The protection and security of our people is the paramount duty of government. And, if President Bush won't stand up for our safety, I will. Today, my campaign unveiled a new television ad highlighting my commitment to homeland security.

After 9/11, I chaired the House Democratic Task Force on Homeland Security. I was one of the first advocates to call for the Department of Homeland Security. I was a strong supporter of the creation of the 9/11 Commission, and was one of the first to propose fully implementing its recommendations - including risk-based funding that would increase New Jersey's homeland security dollars. That legislation was defeated by Bush Republicans in a party line vote.

I played a key role in getting subsequent legislation passed. In fact, 9/11 Commission Chairman Tom Kean Sr. and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton personally wrote to me hailing my dedication to implementing the commission's recommendations: "We strongly believe that, as a result of your and others' commitment and dedication to reform, the American people are safer and more secure." Read more...

I filed an amendment today to the port security bill before the Senate to provide $6.5 billion in emergency agricultural disaster assistance to help agricultural producers struggling from the ongoing drought. Our drought-stricken communities need this immediate relief. Last month I toured the drought stricken regions of Nebraska including Lake McConaughy and the Northwest Nebraska communities that recently had to fight wildfires and now must recover from the devastation.

We need to address this issue this week and I want to attach the emergency disaster assistance amendment to the port security bill (H.R. 4954) being discussed this week. Recent maps provided by the U.S. Drought Monitor at the University of Nebraska’s National Drought Mitigation Center show the entire central United States suffering from drought conditions categorized as severe, extreme or exceptional. The western two-thirds of Nebraska are currently suffering from severe to extreme drought.

These ongoing drought conditions have severely impacted agriculture in Nebraska—costing nearly $342 million this year alone, according to a recent report from the NDMC. Irrigation costs are up and grazing losses in Western Nebraska range from 50 to 70 percent. Agriculture producers in Nebraska and other states are struggling with a multi-year drought and Congress has failed to respond adequately. The problem is getting worse and Washington needs to get something done to help the farmers and ranchers struggling from this natural disaster.

In February of 2005, as Chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), I opened an inquiry into radical environmental and animal rights groups who use criminally-based activism in an effort to influence public policy. Groups such as the Earth Liberation Front ("ELF"), the Animal Liberation Front ("ALF"), and Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty ("SHAC"), to name a few, use crimes of violence like arson, bombings, and property destruction to frighten individuals, companies, and governments into abandoning work affecting the environment or animals. This is the textbook definition of terrorism and is crime punishable by current law.

However, after taking testimony through two EPW Committee hearings from multiple victims, officials from the FBI, DOJ and the educational and scientific communities, it became painfully obvious that many of these extremists' tactics were, in fact, not addressed by current law. I am referring to a sophisticated form of fear-based activism using threats, stalking, harassment, and intimidation to frighten those away from their work on animals. These fear generating tactics are directed not only at a person or company working with animals but also at those that simply do business with or have some connection to those working with animals. This is also terrorism and, unfortunately, is not adequately covered by today's laws.

Animal rights extremists dawning fatigues and hoods, equipped with bullhorns regularly appear in the darkness of night threatening the lives of families. Cutting power and phone lines, bashing in front doors, and throwing bricks through windows are just some of the preliminary things regularly done in an effort to force an unsuspecting CEO to decide to drop a client simply because they want the harassment to end. This is how it starts. Hold out, due to your principles, and quickly you will find a website calling for a "direct action" to be committed upon you with your home address and your children's names, schools, and soccer schedules posted on it. Read more...

Five years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the destruction of the World Trade Center is still claiming victims. Huge numbers of the thousands of rescue and recovery workers who gave their time, skills, and strength at Ground Zero in the days, weeks, and months that followed the attacks have since developed serious respiratory health problems. A Mount Sinai Medical Center study released just last week shows that 70 percent of Ground Zero workers exposed to the site's toxic dust and debris have developed new or worsened illnesses since 2001.

This alarming study highlights the still-urgent need for congressional investigations into the safety and health of Ground Zero workers and first responders in general. Yet the Republican leadership of the House Education and Workforce Committee, the committee with primary jurisdiction over worker safety issues, has refused to hold even a single hearing on this issue, despite repeated requests for hearings by Democrats on the committee. It is beyond shameful that Republican leaders on our committee have not devoted any time to the severe health problems afflicting Ground Zero workers, especially since our committee has not had hearings scheduled on more than 70 percent of the days that Congress was in session over the past three years.

Other lawmakers have recognized the gravity of this issue. In fact, a House Government Reform subcommittee held a field hearing on Ground Zero workers' health on Friday. However, without the attention of the proper committee with oversight and expertise on worker safety issues, many critical questions remain unanswered. It is long past time for the Education and the Workforce Committee to hold hearings.

As the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina continues to remind us, first responders, relief workers, and volunteers play key roles in times of emergency, whether terrorist attacks or natural disasters. We rely on these courageous workers to save lives and rebuild communities. In turn, they must be able to count on their government to minimize the risks they face while on the job. Ensuring their health and safety - a matter of national security - should be one of Congress' highest priorities.

Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the September 11th attacks. That day will be recorded as one of the most tragic and horrific in the history of our nation. September 11th, 2001 was a day when we once again lost our innocence. On the morning of September 11, 2001, every American woke up to a new kind of terror and a life forever changed. On the fifth anniversary of that dark Tuesday in September, it is important to remember the innocent Americans who lost their lives, the first responders who sacrificed their lives for others, and our men and women in uniform who risk their lives every day for the sake of freedom.

For far too long, we lived in a dream world; unaware of the ruthlessness of those who wished to do us harm. The days and weeks that followed the attack were filled with sorrow and a sense of patriotism not felt since the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The events of September 11th forced us to commit ourselves to our security and the long fight against terrorism.

The Global War on Terror started long before September 11, 2001. Prior to that day, the terrorists were on the offensive around the world, but rarely did it affect our daily lives. But when terror arrived on our doorstep, that role was quickly reversed. This war is unlike any war we have fought. The American people have learned that freedom does not come without cost, hardship and heartbreak. There are setbacks, and there is criticism, but we will continue to be steadfast in our mission until the terrorist insurgents are defeated.

We have made great progress in the last 5 years to protect our way of life. We have captured many key terrorist leaders linked to the September 11th attacks, helped thwart other terror plots both at home and around the world, including the most recent foiled attack in London, and helped liberate more than 50 million people in Afghanistan and Iraq. But the Global War on Terror is far from over and will be a struggle for years to come. We must never forget the events of that gruesome day and we must stay diligent to never back down in this fight. Today should be a day of hope and healing. It is an opportunity to pay tribute to the men, women, and children who perished on that day, as well as to honor those who continue to keep us safe and lead our global fight against Islamic Jihadists.

Today, most of us find ourselves asking the same questions. Where was I, what was I doing on September 11, 2001? How has my life, my country, and my world changed?  Like many people, I will never forget where I was that day.  I was in the Capitol when the attacks occurred.  After the second plane hit the World Trade Center, I quickly left the Capitol and could see smoke coming from the Pentagon.  I knew then that this was going to be one of the worst days in our country's history.

This tragedy will continue to shape our nation for generations to come. It's hard to believe it has already been five years since that painful day.  Have we learned our lessons? Have the actions of the heroes on that day, and the heroes that have followed them, set an example for us? Are we doing what needs to be done to keep our nation, our families, our way of life safe? These are weighty questions. The answers may mean the difference between another day of infamy, or a nightmare averted. Unfortunately the answer to all of these questions is no.

We must do everything in our power to ensure there is never a repeat of September 11, 2001, or anything even remotely like it. We must be vigilant. We must be responsible. We must hunt down and destroy those who wish to do us harm. And we must not let misguided priorities impede our ability to address real threats to our national security.

The security on our borders is not strong enough. Our transit systems, commercial airliners, and ports are not safe enough. Our chemical and nuclear plants are still vulnerable targets. First responders and emergency service personnel do not have the equipment they need. And our resources are stretched thin, when they should be focused on eliminating Osama bin Laden and the terrorist network responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

We must fulfill our first responsibility as elected officials, to secure our nation and protect our people, our families, and our future.  It is long past time we fully implement the independent 9/11 Commission's recommendations.  We must make better use of technology to stay ahead of those who would attack us while encouraging more innovation in dealing with all facets of terrorism.  It is our duty to honor those we lost and make the real changes that will truly protect the American people.

While there is plenty of speculation on what it will take to secure our borders, there has unfortunately been a scarcity of any real field research with specific recommendations based on findings. I hope the delivery of this report on the northern border to the respective chairmen will provide some factual data of use in legislative planning, and will foster additional detailed, non-partisan field research. At some point we have to abandon rhetoric and start adopting practical solutions to address our startling lack of real border security.


(One of the better protected of the estimated 1,000 remote rural unguarded road crossings on the northern border - by virtue of a steel gate secured with a chain)